Container with embedded pipe



Oct. 17, 1967 P. NATAF CONTAINER WITH EMBEDDED PIPE 5 Sheets-$het 1Filed March 21, 1966 INVFNTOR 'Pmz. mm? I 3w we mu ATToRNEys Get. 17,1967 NATAF CONTAINER WITH EMBEDDED PIPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21,1966 IN VENTOR NATAF 2 0 m 8 mm ATTORHEyg Filed March 21 5 Sheets-Sheet3 I IuvkuroR J P NATAF ATTORNE ys Oct. 17, 1967 F'. NATAF 3,347,401

CONTAINER WITH EMBEDDED PIPE Filed March 21, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 17b'Hb 17c INVEN r'orz 3 m e m Arron/HEY:

Oct. 17, 1967 p NATAF CONTAINER WITH EMBEDDED PIPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed March 21, 1966 United States Patent Ofilice 3,347,401 CGNTAINERWITH EMBEDDED PIPE Paul Nataf, 54 rue de Sahlonvilie, Neuilly-snr-Seine,France Filed Mar. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 535,875 Claims priority,application France, Mar. 24, 1965, 10,512; June 5, 1965, 19,755 8Claims. (Cl. 215-1) The present invention has essentially for its objecta 10 hollow body such as a bottle or like container intended forcontaining a liquid or semi-liquid product and made of a mouldablematerial such as a heat-weldable plastic material and provided with asuction pipe for exhausting this product therefrom.

The hollow body according to this invention is characterized essentiallyin that the aforesaid exhaust or suction pipe comprises a sectionprojecting externally from said hollow body and another section embeddedin said hollow body and extending to a short distance from its bottom.

According to another feature characterizing this invention the embeddedportion of said pipe is formed between at least two recesses of saidhollow body which are welded to each other preferably along two parallelweld lines and so shaped, between said two weld lines, as to providetherebetween a channel permitting the passage of the liquid orsemi-liquid product. .The embedded pipe section obtained by juxtaposingand die-welding two thicknesses of the extruded tube is more rigid thanthe wall of said hollow body. This feature is particularly importantwhen the hollow body is manufactured from a very flexible material forthe embedded pipe section, due to its rigidity, increases considerablythe resistance to compressive stress of the hollow body when a verticalpressure is applied thereto, for example with the hand. This rigidityalso affords a better resistance of said hollow body to the pressureexerted by its fluid content.

According to another feature of this invention, the aforesaid recessesare so designed as to permit the insertion of the users fingers when hegrips the hollow body with the hand, and furthermore they are preferablyoutflared to facilitate this insertion.

Thus, the user can easily grip the hollow body by sim- -ply engaging hisfingers into said recesses, a safer grip being obtained by squeezingbetween the fingers the embedded pipe constituting the stiifest portionof the hollow body.

According to another feature characterizing the present invention, saidembedded pipe section is in axial alignment with the projecting pipesection.

According to a complementary feature of this invention, each shellcomprises, in addition, at least one groove, formed in the joint planeand forming, when the mould is closed, another channel communicatingwith the aforesaid channel formed by the grooves of said partitions.

Finally, this invention is characterized in that the channel formed bythe two grooves formed in the joint planes of said shells is adapted toreceive a mandrel comprising at least one hollow tube for introducinggas under pressure into the mould by means of the channel formed betweensaid two partitions.

Other features and advantages of this invention will appear as thefollowing description proceeds with reference to the attached drawingsillustrating diagrammatically by way of example various forms ofembodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a hollow body according to afirst form of embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a detail view showing one of the shells of a mouldconstructed according to the teachings of this invention, together withthe mandrel associated with this mould;

, section 2, to a short distance 3,34 7,401 Patented Oct. 17, 1967FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of a mould consisting of two shellssimilar to the one shown in FIGURE 2, this section being taken upon theline III-III of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken upon the line IV-1V of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 illustrates diagramatically in elevational view with partsbroken away a hollow body according to a first modified form ofembodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 6 illustrates diagrammatically in elevational view with partsbroken away a hollow body according to another modified form ofembodiment of the invention, and

FIGURE 7 illustrates diagrammatically in elevational view with partsbroken away a hollow body according to a third modified form ofembodiment of this invention.

Referring first to the form of embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1, (andalso visible in FIGURES 3 and 4) the hollow body 1 according to thisinvention is a bottle adapted to be filled with any desired beverage,for example fruit juice. It consists of heat-weldable plastic materialsuch as polyethylene and comprises an exhaust pipe or nozzle including aprojecting section. 2 and an internal or embedded section 3 constitutingthe internal extension of said projection section 2, and communicatingwith the inner space of said hollow body. The internal section 3 of saidpipe is disposed between two symmetric recesses 4 and 5 extending fromthe upper portion of the hollow body, i.e. from the base of theprojecting pipe (for example a few millimeters) from the bottom 6 ofsaid hollow body.

These symmetric recesses 4 and 5 consist of two identical diametricallyopposite cavities formed in the wall of the plastic bottle. The bottomsof these cavities or recesses are shaped to include a substantiallysemi-circular groove whereby these bottoms constitute the embedded orinternal portion of the pipe when they are welded along two weld lines7.

These recesses 4 and 5 .divide the bottle 1 into two identical cavities1a and 1b communicating with each other at their lower portions, thatis, between the lower portion of the embedded pipe section 3 and thebottom 6 of the bottle.

The cavities 1a and 1b are provided at their upper portion with pipe ornozzle means 8a and 8b communicating with the surrounding atmosphere.

The bottle 1 is filled by introducing the liquid product for examplethrough the exhaust pipe, the other pipes 8a and 8b acting as vent holesin this case. When the bottle is full the pipe 2 is sealed as well asthe pipes 8a and 812 by squeezing or welding their upper ends or edges.

For sucking up the liquid content there is only to break the projectingpipe section 2 as well as the pipes 8a and 812 along the restrictedportions 9 and then to exhaust the liquid content from the bottle.

If the bottle is made from sufficiently flexible material, it ispossible to dispense with the opening of pipes 8a and 812 since thecavities may be flattened out by the atmospheric pressure as they areemptied. In this case, exerting a slight pressure on the upper portionsof cavities 1a and lb is su cient to cause the pipes 8a and 8b todiverge so as to enable the user to introduce the exhaust pipe 2 betweenhis or her lips.

It should be noted that in spite of the space left between the lowerportion of the embedded pipe section 3 and the bottom 6 of thecontainer, the liquid can be drawn completely therefrom since the liquidpossibly remaining in the bottom of the bottle can be raised to the pipelevel by simply crushing the bottle bottom for example between twofingers.

It should also be noted that the gripping of the container isconsiderably facilitated by the provision of the two re-- cesses 4 and5. The user inserts for example the thumb into one of these recesses andthe other fingers of the hand into the opposite recess, the finger tipscontact the embedded pipe section, that is, a rigid and easily grippedbottle portion.

The cavities 1a and 1b, including the one lying in the palm of the usershand, are practically free of any stress and therefore not liable todetrimental distortion, even if the bottle is moulded from very flexiblematerial.

FIGURE 2 illustrates one of the two shells ltla constituting a mouldaccording to this invention. This shell comprises an upper face Illaforming the joint plane and contacting in the closed mould position theregistering face 11b of the associated shell b (see FIGURES 3 and 4).This shell 10a comprises a hollow portion cavity or impression 12acorresponding to the general configuration which it is desired to impartto the hollow body. A groove 13a for example of semi-circularcross-sectional contour extends from this cavity 12a and leads to thetop face 14a of shell 10a. This groove 13a corresponds to the pipe 2 ofbottle 1. The cavity 12a is divided into two identical recesses 15a and16a by a partition 17a formed integrally with the shell and aligned withthe aforesaid groove 13a. The upper edge of this partition 17a which, inthe case illustrated, is substantially level with the joint plane Illa,comprises a groove 18a extending throughout its length and constitutesthe extension of the aforesaid groove 13a. The thickness of saidparitio-n 17a increases from its edge to the bottom of the cavity 12a,so as to have an outfiared shape corresponding to that of the recesses 4and 5 of bottle 1.

Between each one of said cavities 15a and 16a and the top face 14a ofthe mould two grooves 19a and 20a disposed on either side of said groove13a and symmetrically thereto are provided and correspond to the ventpipes 8a and 8b of the bottle.

There is also shown in FIGURE 2 a mandrel 21 acting as an extrusion dieto form the exhaust pipe and the vent pipes 8a and 8b. This mandrelcomprises on the one hand a central tube 22 of a length slightlysuperior to that of the groove 13a and communicates with a gas feed pipe23, and on the other hand two rods or like members 24 and 25. This pipe23 and rods 24, 25 have a diameter slightly inferior to that of grooves13a, 19a and 20a so as to leave a space suificient for the plastic whenthe two mould shells are in their closed position.

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate in cross-sectional view and in longitudinalsection, respectively, a complete mould for manufacturing by the blowingmethod a hollow plastic body according to this invention. This mouldconsists Of two identical shells 10a and 10b, the same elements of thesetwo shells being designated by the same reference numerals bearing theindices a and b respectively. The two shells are disposed on either sideof the plastic material constituting a double-walled structure, forexample in the form of an extruded tubular sheet (not shown) but thecentral tube 22 and rods 24, 25 of mandrel 21 being disposed between thetwo walls of plastic material, for example internally of the extrudedtube.

After having so disposed the mandrel that the tube 22 and rods 24, 25register with grooves 13a, 13b; 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b, the two shellsare moved towards each other to trap the plastic material therebetween.

The mandrel 21, with its tube 22 and rods 24, 25 disposed coaxially tothe channels formed by the grooves 13a, 13b; 19a, 19b and 20a, 20bpermits of forming by die-moulding the projecting pipe section 2 as wellas the two vent pipes 8a and 8b of the hollow body.

After closing the mould, gas under pressure, for example air, is blowninto same through the mandrel tube 22. This air under pressure drivesthe plastic material which is thus pinched between the edges ofpartitions 17a and 17b, whereby this material will take the shape of thegrooves 18a and 18b and thus form the pipe section 3 embedded in thebottle 1. The air under pressure subsequently penetrates into thecavities 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b and forces the plastic material againstthe mould walls, thus giving the desired shape to the bottle. It will beseen that the die-moulding of the embedded pipe section 3 is produced bythe compressed air issuing from the tube 22, instead of from the mandrelas in the case of the projecting pipe section 2 on the one hand, andvent pipes 8a, 8b, on the other hand.

Of course, the rods 24 and 25 could be replaced by pipes connected likethe tube 22 to the air-pressure tube 23. On the other hand, the rods 24and 25, or the pipes substituted therefor, if any, may have any desiredand suitable diameter, for example equal to or greater than that of tube22.

The hollow body illustrated in FIGURE 1 comprises a projecting pipesection 2 and an embedded pipe section 3, both of which are rectilinearand in relative axial alignment. However, this specific arrangement isnot compulsory. In fact, we have seen that the tube 22 of mandrel 21serves the only purpose of extruding the projecting pipe section 2, theembedded pipe section 3 being extruded by the air under pressuredelivered through the tube 22. Therefore, the use of a pipe rectilinearfrom end to end is not compulsory as it should be in case the extrudingstep were carried out by means of a rigid duct or a rigid rod extendingthroughout the suction pipe, that is, its projecting section 2 and itsembedded section 3.

The edges of partitions 17a and 171), instead of being level with thefaces 11a and 11b of the half-moulds or shells, as shown, may bedisposed differently; thus, any desired and suitable inclination may beimparted to these edges provided that it is consistent with thedimensions of the mould cavity 12a (FIGURE 2), so that is this case thepipe section embedded in the bottle be somewhat inclined with respect tothe projecting pipe section.

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 illustrate modified forms of embodiment of the hollowbody of this invention, the same reference numerals designatingcorresponding elements of the bottle illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 shows a bottle similar to that of FIGURE 1 but wherein theembedded pipe section 3 is not in alignment with the projecting pipesection 2 so as to form a certain angle therewith.

This suction pipe shape is obtained by forming the partions 17a and 17bof the mould with inclined edges as stated hereinabove.

FIGURE 6 illustrates another modification of the suction pipearrangement wherein both the projecting and embedded sections of theexhaust pipe are bent. In this form of embodiment, there is provided, inaddition to this exhaust pipe 2, 3, a neck 46 of relatively largediameter which communicates with one cavity 1a, the other cavity 1bbeing closed at its upper portion. The purpose of this neck is tofacilitate the bottle filling operation.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a third modification of the container whichcomprises only a single central suction pipe. This container may befilled by creating a preliminary vacuum. Sucking up the liquid contentis not attended by any difllculty since the bottle walls are extremelyflexible and yield under the atmosphereic pressure.

Other forms of embodiment are also possible, for example, a bottle inwhich the; embedded pipe section is outside the wall of the hollow bodyand provided along said wall.

Still other modifications and variations may be contemplated withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Thus, for example, thesuction or exhaust pipe and the ducts connecting the cavities of thebody to the outside may have a cross-sectional contour other thancircular, for example oval or hexagonal. Besides, an atomizer could beassociated with the projecting section of the exhaust pipe for atomizingthe liquid product contained in the bottle or the like by exerting apressure thereon.

Of course, this invention should not be construed as being limited bythe forms of embodiment described and illustrated herein which are givenonly by way of example.

What I claim is:

1. A container comprising a hollow body made of mouldable material, saidhollow body having a bottom wall and being formed with at least tworecesses welded to each other along at least two parallel weld lines,said recesses extending from the upper portion of said hollow body to ashort distance from said bottom wall so as to divided said hollow bodyinto at least two cavities communicating with each other at their lowerportions, and an exhaust pipe comprising an outer section projectingfrom said upper portion of the hollow body and an inner section embeddedin said hollow body and formed between said Weld lines.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said hollow body has theshape of a bottle and said recesses are diametrically opposite.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein said recesses are outflaredwhereby the engagement of the users fingers is facilitated.

4. A container according to claim 1, wherein said inner section of saidexhaust pipe is in axial alignment with said outer section.

5. A container according to claim 1, wherein said inner section and saidouter section of said exhaust pipe form a certain angle with each other.

6. A container according to claim 1, wherein said inner section and saidouter section of said exhaust pipe comprise at least one bend.

7. A container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of saidcavities is provided with a duct adapted to connect said cavity with theatmosphere.

8. A container according to claim 1, wherein each one of said cavitiesis provided with a duct adapted to connect said cavity with theatmosphere, said ducts being parallel to said outer section of saidexhaust pipe.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,092,275 6/ 196 3 Brunton et al.215-4 3,178,081 4/1965 Adams 222-211 X 3,232,495 2/1966 Schneider222-210 X JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. D. F. NORTON, AssistantExaminer.

1. A CONTAINER COMPRISING A HOLLOW BODY MADE OF MOULDABLE MATERIAL, SAIDHOLLOW BODY HAVING A BOTTOM WALL AND BEING FORMED WITH AT LEAST TWORECESSES WELDED TO EACH OTHER ALONG AT LEAST TWO PARALLEL WELD LINES,SAID RECESSES EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID HOLLOW BODY TO ASHORT DISTANCE FROM SAID BOTTOM WALL SO AS TO DIVIDED SAID HOLLOW BODYINTO AT LEAST TWO CAVITIES COMMUNICTING WITH EACH OTHER AT THEIR LOWERPORTIONS, AND AN EXHAUST PIPE COMPRISING AN OUTER SECTION PROJECTING